Mr. Robinson

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 5, 2015
Metascore
41

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 20
  3. Negative: 5 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Aug 4, 2015
    60
    Likable, if sometimes flat.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Aug 5, 2015
    50
    Mr. Robinson is not great, not bad; it’s just okay.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Aug 3, 2015
    50
    A rote sitcom and an embarrassment for all concerned.
  5. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Aug 3, 2015
    50
    [A] dreary show that has all the edge of a doughnut hole and comes slathered with an astonishing amount of sexual innuendo for a network sitcom.
  6. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Jul 31, 2015
    50
    It's rarely funny (at least intentionally), never affecting, and has the narrative cohesion of a Dick and Jane reader minus the cute drawings of Puff the Cat. It is, however, weirdly interesting.
  7. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Jul 31, 2015
    50
    Writers (and co-executive producers, among others) Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen have an uneven and not 100% original touch here. But sitcom magic is difficult to make, and at least Mr. Robinson has a few tricks in its bag.
  8. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Aug 3, 2015
    42
    [Robinson] is funny, and there are fleeting reminders of that.... Then it all goes sour, and flat.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jeff Jensen
    Jul 30, 2015
    42
    The few worthwhile themes are subverted by absurd, borderline-racist characterizations and ribald pop-culture-referencing dialogue that tries way too hard.
  10. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jul 27, 2015
    42
    Mr. Robinson has an appealing star in Craig Robinson, but the show itself is gratingly forced and formulaic.
  11. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Mekeisha Madden Toby
    Aug 5, 2015
    40
    For every charming and genuinely funny moment--and there is a fair amount--there is a lazy sitcom trope that stunts Mr. Robinson and depletes it of its promise.
  12. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Aug 5, 2015
    40
    Mr. Robinson is not horrible; or when it is, it is only in passing. (The cast is good, there are some laughs.) It just feels weak and fatally retrograde.
  13. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    Aug 4, 2015
    40
    Nothing in the episodes sent out for review suggests that Mr. Robinson will be much more than your typical summer burn-off series--quickly aired, quickly forgotten.
  14. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Aug 4, 2015
    40
    Robinson obviously has some fun riffing at the keyboards (Brandon T. Jackson plays his brother and bandmate), but everything about the show has an exhausted, late-’80s vibe.
  15. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Aug 3, 2015
    40
    Robinson is still appealing, but he’s surrounded by a gaggle of sitcom stereotypes.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 11 out of 20
  1. benishere
    Aug 5, 2015
    2
    The show is just far too predictable, not funny and the characters are so stereotype that it's almost sad. A big disappointment as it was aThe show is just far too predictable, not funny and the characters are so stereotype that it's almost sad. A big disappointment as it was a great idea.… Full Review »
  2. QdEarl
    Aug 22, 2015
    8
    I've read a few of the critics reviews, and though everyone's entitled to an opinion, their bashing of this show only proves one thing to me,I've read a few of the critics reviews, and though everyone's entitled to an opinion, their bashing of this show only proves one thing to me, they're full of sh*!. Looking down from their high rise glass and steel cages I doubt if they even know what makes a good urban sitcom. Yes it uses formulaic, 1 episode contained plots. It's….a "sitcom". When did it become mandatory that a 30 minute weekly show had to be arc based with a singular storyline played out over the course of a season. Too many years watching "24" I think. I'm also hard pressed to label all the characters as stereotypical, how so? Is it the "stripper who worked her way through college"? Ok yeah…., except that it's always done from the point of view that she's a stripper, who claims this. Last I checked, this show has a college grad who teaches and claims that she strips. ( so, just which episode has the strip club scene in it?!?) Or is it Craig's character - daytime teacher, nighttime struggling artist? Well all the people I know who pursue these type of creative dreams (musicians, artists, writers, etc) live this life, and I know that first hand [feel free to Google me] So, I can identify with this character, and in fact I enjoy the interaction with all the characters in this show, do I think some are over the top? (Jimmy) Sure, but they're counter-balanced by other characters (Principal Taylor) It's an imaginary world with imaginary people living interesting lives. Or maybe you think the characters of Fox's "New Girl" is an accurate portrayal of grown people in their mid 30's? (and I love New Girl. by the way.) Yeah, they take some artistic license on that show for sure. It's no different with Mr. Robinson, The integration of music (one of the first things you lose in an urban educational environment) is inventive and refreshing, the plots revolve around the settings and the characters and even though they have a 22 minute shelf life, they still ring true as being feasible situations for those characters, the dialogue is current, the atmosphere, up to date, unlike some shows that take so long to reach the air, they feel outdated before the 1st episode finishes. I believe many reviewers use the viewer ratings to base the tone of their comments on, thinking "if no one's watching it must be bad" Do you remember a show called "Firefly"…. Anyway, I enjoyed the 6 ep run and hope they come back for a second season.… Full Review »
  3. Lharper36
    Aug 10, 2015
    10
    I absolutely adored Mr Robinson. I find it reminiscent of The Steve Harvey Show, which also started off to a slow start. I hope they let itI absolutely adored Mr Robinson. I find it reminiscent of The Steve Harvey Show, which also started off to a slow start. I hope they let it build its audience!… Full Review »
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